SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 588
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to
recognize John W. Bland, who is being honored at the 40th
anniversary convention of the A. Philip Randolph Institute,
which is being held April 6, 2013, in Houston; and
WHEREAS, John Bland is a lifetime member and the Texas vice
president of the A. Philip Randolph Institute; a native Texan and
graduate of Phillis Wheatley High School in Houston's Fifth Ward,
he was attending Texas Southern University when he began his
involvement in the civil rights and labor movements; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bland was a founding member of the Progressive
Youth Association, which played an important role in the
integration of lunch counters, movie theaters, and other
community establishments; he also worked to facilitate the
hiring of African Americans for positions at major retail
outlets, including Foley's, Walgreens, and J. C. Penney; and
WHEREAS, His work as a leader in the labor movement began
when he served as steward for Local 260 of the Transport Workers
Union of America; he went on to organize transportation workers
across Texas and today, he serves as the union's vice president
and deputy director of transit divisions; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Bland also serves as president of the Coalition
of Black Trade Unionists and as vice president of the Texas
American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial
Organizations; he has been active in politics as a precinct judge,
as Senate District 13 chair, and as a representative on the Houston
Police Department's Citizens Review Committee; and
WHEREAS, John Bland has made a profound difference in the
lives of countless people through his devotion to equal rights
and representation, inclusion, and justice, and he is truly
deserving of this prestigious honor; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd
Legislature, hereby commend John W. Bland on his outstanding
efforts to improve conditions for the working men and women of
Texas and extend congratulations to him on being named the
honoree at the 40th anniversary convention of the A. Philip
Randolph Institute; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.
Ellis
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 3, 2013.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate